ST. CLOUD, Minn. (AP) - A judge has broadened the scope of a lawsuit filed by female student athletes who claim St. Cloud University has offered more opportunities for men in athletics than for women.

Chief U.S. District Judge John Tunheim has granted class-action status in the Title IX lawsuit against the university in a case initially brought by women on the tennis and Nordic ski teams. The judge allowed other female student athletes to join the lawsuit.

The litigation began after the university removed six athletic programs in 2016, including men's and women's tennis, men's cross country, women's Nordic skiing, and both indoor and outdoor men's track and field.

The St. Cloud Times reports Tunheim dismissed a damages claim in the lawsuit, which means the athletes will not be able to get monetary damages.

ST. CLOUD, Minn. (AP) - The Diocese of St. Cloud plans to file for bankruptcy to help resolve lawsuits involving sexual abuse of minors.

A three-year window that lifted the statute of limitations on past allegations of clergy abuse in Minnesota ended in May 2016. The diocese received 74 civil claims during that time.

Bishop Donald Kettler says Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization is the best way to ensure that money will be distributed equitably to all victims and allow the diocese to continue normal operations. The St. Cloud Times reports he didn't give a date for the filing.

St. Cloud is the fourth diocese in Minnesota to seek bankruptcy protection. The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and the dioceses of Duluth and New Ulm have also filed for bankruptcy amid abuse claims.

Anyone looking for a better job, or a new career path should go to the Stearns County Job Fair.

The fair will be on Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Stearns County Administration Center's 4th floor.

Human Resource Director Jennifer Thorsten says that the county is looking for great employees to fill a variety of jobs in public services. The county hires lawyers, engineers, police officers, nurses, assessors, social workers and many other positions.

St. Cloud State University is offering a volunteer opportunity to help out the community.

Spokeswoman Erica Karger-Gatzow says Chartwells and Healthy Huskies have partnered with General Mills and The Ellen Show to pack “Matter Boxes” for the One Million Acts of Good. Volunteers will help pack shelf-stable snacks into packs for the Salvation Army to distribute.

Everyone is encouraged to attend, even if you only have 15 minutes to spare. You can join the packing on Wednesday in the Atwood Memorial Center Main Lounge.

Authorities need help identifying a vehicle from a business theft from 2017.

Benton County Sheriff Troy Heck says between November 4 and 6 a person had broken into many cars and trailers at True North Tower in Sauk Rapids. The suspect stole several tools, power tools and tools for radio tower maintenance.

The vehicle is a light colored 2000 to 2006 Chevy Tahoe. It has a roof rack, a sun roof, possible damage to the left rear tail light and a larger than normal hitch.

Anyone with information related to the theft is urged to call the Benton County Cheriff's Office at (320)-968-7201.

ELK RIVER, Minn. (AP) - A teenager has died after being hit by a Northstar Commuter Rail train near Elk River.

Metro Transit spokesman Howie Padilla says it happened around 6 p.m. Sunday. A pedestrian was walking westbound with another person on the track bed when a train heading westbound hit the teenager.

The other person with the teenager who was hit escaped injury. Padilla says there's no pedestrian or street crossing where he was hit. Officials weren't immediately sure why the two people were on the tracks.

The victim's name hasn't been released. Padilla says the track in that area was shut down for about two hours. Some passengers were on the train at the time.

Metro Transit, the Elk River Police Department and the Sherburne County Sheriff's Office are investigating.

The State Patrol reports an SUV driver ran a stop sign Saturday night resulting in the driver's death.

Minnesota State Patrol Sergeant Jesse Gabrow says shortly before 5 p.m. 77-year-old James Leonard Demarais of Foley ran a stop sign at the intersection of Highway 23 and County Road 66. Demarais was hit by a truck driven by 43-year-old James Robert Ladwig of Circle Pines. Demarais was thrown from his vehicle since he wasn’t wearing a seat belt.

He was pronounced dead from the crash. Ladwig was taken to St. Cloud Hospital for minor injuries.

University Spokeswoman Anna Kurth says Americorps member Merry Jo Demarais will talk about how cohousing is a contemporary model for private housing as well as community living. Demarais will lay out the who, what, why and benefits of cohousing in the 21st century.

The Women on Wednesday speaker will be on February 28, at 12 p.m. in the Atwood Theatre. The event is free and open to the public.

Make sure to say thank you when you step onto the bus for Bus Driver Appreciation Day.

St. Cloud Area School District 742 Spokeswoman Tami DeLand says Spanier Bus Service will be hosting a waffle breakfast for bus drivers as a way of saying “thank you.” The drivers are a huge part in making school and public transportation possible.

The appreciation breakfast for bus drivers will be on Wednesday, February 28 from 8 – 10:30 a.m. at the Spanier Bus location.

Oh snow! Keep an eye on the forecast and an ear on the radio as winter brings more snow this weekend.

St. Cloud State University Meteorology Professor Bob Weisman predicts a strong snowstorm in central Minnesota starting Thursday into Friday. The snow will begin to fall late Thursday afternoon and produce 2-5 inches making the commute difficult.

On top of that, a potential blizzard could come this Saturday possibly dropping 6-12 inches. The storm could also bring strong winds, so keep updated in case the weather keeps getting worse.

ROCKVILLE, Minn. (AP) - A judge has reversed a court order that required the owners of a lake house in central Minnesota to tear it down because of its size.

The order last year to remove the home on Grand Lake in Rockville for zoning violations was reversed by Judge Shan Wang Tuesday. The St. Cloud Times says the judge found that a new ordinance enacted by the city of Rockville applies retroactively and allows the expansion of the home.

Kathleen and Matt Mimbach began renovating the home in November 2015. Building permits filed with the city called it "a remodel with a new addition." But neighbors Thomas and Holly Ruether contended the Mimbachs built a new, larger home which encroached on their property.

A Stearns County judge ruled last September that the new home should be torn down. The Mimbachs appealed.

The St. Cloud library is now offering new resources for authors and readers in cooperation with other Minnesota libraries.

Great River Regional Library Public Relations Specialist Abby Faulkner says the new collection of tools is called MN Writes MN Reads. The purpose of the collection is the creation, publication, and sharing of e-books with readers across Minnesota.

Faulkner says the program appeals to those looking for something new to read.